“I always wanted a talent to use for God … “ *Sabeena exclaimed, “you have come and taught me how to play the piano, and now I have a talent I can share with my church and with others for the Lord!”

Sabeena is a 17-year old girl who has been learning piano at a local church in Mumbai, India, from members of the Southeastern team.

“We thought we were coming to share the Gospel,” Nanette, a member of the team, said, “but we found we were working with children and adults who were already believers.”

Although working with believers was not the team’s original purpose, they soon realized that God was using them to equip the church.

“They just needed some training and tools so they could go out and share with others,” Nanette said.

Ann, another member of the team, agreed, “They were all very eager to learn.”

Ann shared the story of *Aalap, a young boy who played the keyboard for his church. He only knew how to play by ear, but he wanted to learn to read music.

“We had the most fun with him,” Ann recalled. “He will sit down and work and work and work. He will be a great asset to the community.”

In addition to providing practical skills, the team is also meeting social and emotional needs, as well.

“What I’m seeing here a lot … is that the women are starved for attention,” Bekah explained, “They want to feel loved and they want to have that one-on-one attention from somebody.”

One of those women is a 57-year old pastor’s wife.

“She laughed at herself a lot,” Bekah explained. “She says she is 57 years old and this is the first time she’s ever done anything like this,”

“These women are being empowered to have an impact on their community,” Bekah concluded.  “[These women] are becoming equipped to go out and share the Gospel.”

*Names changed.